Warriors’ point guard fractures left hand in Friday’s game, will have surgery next week
The Golden State Warriors suffered a significant blow during Friday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons, as star point guard Chris Paul fractured his left hand and will undergo surgery next week.
Injury Occurs in 4th Quarter of Win Over Pistons
Paul suffered the injury with just under 4 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter of the Warriors’ tight game against Detroit. At the time, Golden State held a slim 5-point lead before Paul was forced to exit.
The injury occurred when Paul was reaching for a loose ball and came down awkwardly on his left hand. He immediately grabbed his hand in pain and called timeout.
Paul was escorted back to the Warriors locker room and did not return, with backup point guard Moses Moody entering the game in his absence. Golden State went on to defeat the Pistons 112-108.
| Basic Game Details |
|---|
| Date | January 5, 2024
| Location | Little Caesars Arena (Detroit)
| Score | Warriors 112, Pistons 108
| Paul’s Stats | 18 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast
Surgery Scheduled for Next Week
Post-game x-rays confirmed Paul suffered a fracture in his left hand. Further tests Saturday revealed both a fracture and torn ligaments near his thumb.
The Warriors announced Paul will undergo surgery sometime next week to repair the damage. At this point no exact date for the procedure has been set.
While Paul and the team offered no specific timeline for return, injuries of this nature typically require several weeks of recovery. More details on Paul’s status will likely be provided after his surgery.
Major Implications Going Forward
Losing their 10-time All Star and former league MVP for an extended stretch will be a monumental loss for Golden State, who sport the NBA’s 2nd best record at 29-7.
Paul has been the conductor of the Warriors high octane offense this year, averaging 17 points and 8 assists per game prior to the injury. His on court leadership and late game execution will also be tough to replace.
In Paul’s absence, young guard Moses Moody will take over the starting point guard duties. Veteran Shaun Livingston is expected to see increased minutes off the bench as Moody’s primary backup.
This will be a challenging time for the defending champion Warriors to navigate without their star floor general. An already ultra competitive Western Conference seems to have gotten even tougher now for Golden State.
Outlook Cloudy Amidst Paul’s Recovery
While an official timeline has yet to emerge, a hand injury requiring surgery typically translates to a player missing 4-6 weeks as a minimum expectation. Some cases can take 2 months or longer before allowing basketball activities to resume.
Paul could potentially return before the end of the regular season in mid April, but the team may opt to hold him out until the playoffs depending on several factors:
- Severity of the fractures/ligament damage
- Recovery progress in the weeks following surgery
- Team’s playoff positioning down the stretch
- Paul’s comfort level returning
At 36 years old and in his 18th NBA season, Paul will need to proceed cautiously in working himself back into peak game shape. Rushing a comeback increases risks of re-injury or setbacks which the Warriors cannot afford.
The team will likely provide updates in the coming weeks once Paul’s procedure is completed. Fans anxiously await positive news on his recovery timeline, as the Warriors hope to integrate their floor general back into the lineup before their title defense concludes.
This story will continue to develop in the coming days and weeks as Paul undergoes hand surgery and begins the road to recovery. The Warriors season outlook remains filled with championship aspirations, but faces a temporary detour without their most reliable pilot at the controls.
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